-1- December 2023

United States Department of State

Bureau of Consular Affairs

VISA BULLETIN
Number 84 Volume X Washington, D.C.
IMMIGRANT NUMBERS FOR DECEMBER 2023

A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS

This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during December for
“Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant
visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to
the National Visa Center.

Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
website at www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo, individuals seeking to file applications
for adjustment of status with USCIS must use the “Final Action Dates” charts below for
determining when they can file such applications. When USCIS determines that there are
more immigrant visas available for the fiscal year than there are known applicants for
such visas, USCIS will state on its website that applicants may instead use the “Dates
for Filing Visa Applications” charts in this Bulletin.

1. Procedures for determining dates. Consular officers are required to report to the
Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas;
USCIS reports applicants for adjustment of status. Allocations in the charts below
were made, to the extent possible, in chronological order of reported priority dates,
for demand received by November 2nd. If all reported demand could not be satisfied,
the category or foreign state in which demand was excessive was deemed oversubscribed.
The final action date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first
applicant who could not be reached within the numerical limits. If it becomes
necessary during the monthly allocation process to retrogress a final action date,
supplemental requests for numbers will be honored only if the priority date falls
within the new final action date announced in this bulletin. If at any time an annual
limit were reached, it would be necessary to immediately make the preference category
“unavailable”, and no further requests for numbers would be honored.

2. The fiscal year 2024 limit for family-sponsored preference immigrants determined in
accordance with Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is 226,000.
The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least
140,000. Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants
is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference
limits, i.e., 25,620. The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320.

3. INA Section 203(e) provides that family-sponsored and employment-based

preference visas be issued to eligible immigrants in the order in which a petition
on behalf of each has been filed. Section 203(d) provides that spouses and children
of preference immigrants are entitled to the same status, and the same order of
consideration, if accompanying or following to join the principal. The visa
prorating provisions of Section 202(e) apply to allocations for a foreign state or
dependent area when visa issuances will exceed the per-country limit. These
provisions apply at present to the following oversubscribed chargeability areas:
CHINA-mainland born, INDIA, MEXICO, and PHILIPPINES.
 -2- December 2023
4. Section 203(a) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Family-
sponsored immigrant visas as follows:

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400 plus any numbers
not required for fourth preference.

Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent
Residents: 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference
level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:

A. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents: 77% of the overall second
preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit.

B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent
Residents: 23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens: 23,400, plus any numbers
not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens: 65,000, plus any numbers
not required by first three preferences.

A. FINAL ACTION DATES FOR FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES

On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is
oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized
for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers
are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for
applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below.)

All Charge-
ability Areas CHINA-
Except Those mainland
Family- Listed born INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES
Sponsored

F1 01JAN15 01JAN15 01JAN15 01MAY01 01MAR12

F2A 08FEB19 08FEB19 08FEB19 01FEB19 08FEB19

F2B 22SEP15 22SEP15 22SEP15 01MAY02 22OCT11

F3 08JAN09 08JAN09 08JAN09 22MAR98 08JUN02

F4 22APR07 22APR07 08OCT05 15SEP00 22AUG02

For December, F2A numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit are authorized for issuance to
applicants from all countries with priority dates earlier than 01FEB19. F2A
numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants
chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO, with priority dates beginning 01FEB19 and
earlier than 08FEB19. All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-
country limit.
 -3- December 2023
B. DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe
justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas
who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart below may
assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa
Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing
detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the
priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National
Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all
applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority
date.

The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be
filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any
category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the
listed date may file their application.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined

that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 4.A.) this month for
filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS.

All Chargeability CHINA-

Family-
Areas Except mainland INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES
Sponsored
Those Listed born
F1 01SEP17 01SEP17 01SEP17 01APR05 22APR15
F2A 01SEP23 01SEP23 01SEP23 01SEP23 01SEP23
F2B 01JAN17 01JAN17 01JAN17 01AUG04 01OCT13
F3 01MAR10 01MAR10 01MAR10 15JUN01 08NOV03
F4 01MAR08 01MAR08 22FEB06 15APR01 22APR04

5. Section 203(b) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of

Employment-based immigrant visas as follows:

EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES

First: Priority Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level,

plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second: Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of

Exceptional Ability: 28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus
any numbers not required by first preference.

Third: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers: 28.6% of the worldwide
level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, of which not
more than 10,000 may be provided to "*Other Workers".

Fourth: Certain Special Immigrants: 7.1% of the worldwide level.

Fifth: Employment Creation: 7.1% of the worldwide level, of which 32% are reserved
as follows: 20% reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a rural area; 10%
reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in a high unemployment area; and 2%
reserved for qualified immigrants who invest in infrastructure projects. The
remaining 68% are unreserved and are allotted for all other qualified immigrants.
 -4- December 2023
A. FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is
oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized
for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers
are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for
applicants whose priority date is earlier than the final action date listed below.)

All Charge-
ability Areas CHINA-
Except Those mainland
Listed born INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES
Employment-
Based

1st C 15FEB22 01JAN17 C C

2nd 15JUL22 22OCT19 01JAN12 15JUL22 15JUL22

3rd 01DEC21 22JAN20 01MAY12 01DEC21 01DEC21

Other 01AUG20 01JAN16 01MAY12 01AUG20 01MAY20

Workers

4th 01JAN19 01JAN19 01JAN19 01JAN19 01JAN19

Certain U U U U U
Religious
Workers

5th C 01OCT15 15DEC18 C C

Unreserved
(including C5, T5, I5, R5)

5th
Set Asides:

Rural (20%) C C C C C

High C C C C C
Unemployment
(10%)

Infra- C C C C C
structure
(2%)
 -5- December 2023
*Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category: Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan
and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as
amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. L. 105−139, provides that once the Employment Third
Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest
EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available
for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the
following fiscal year. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to
offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Since the EW final action date reached
November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit
to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002. For Fiscal Year 2024 this reduction
will be limited to approximately 150.

B. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe
justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas
who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart may assemble
and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center,
following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed
instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date
of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for
an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the
relevant category may file, regardless of priority date.

The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be
filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any
category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the
listed date may file their application.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined

that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 5.A.) this month for
filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS.

All Charge-
ability Areas
Except Those CHINA -
Employment- Based Listed mainland born INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES
1st C 01AUG22 01JUL19 C C
2nd 01JAN23 01JAN20 15MAY12 01JAN23 01JAN23
3rd 01FEB23 01SEP20 01AUG12 01FEB23 01JAN23
Other Workers 15DEC20 01JUN17 01AUG12 15DEC20 15MAY20
4th 01MAR19 01MAR19 01MAR19 01MAR19 01MAR19
Certain Religious 01MAR19 01MAR19 01MAR19 01MAR19 01MAR19
Workers
5th Unreserved
(including C5, T5, I5, C 01JAN17 01APR22 C C
and R5)
 -6- December 2023
(Chart B. DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISA APPLICATIONS continued from
previous page)
All Charge-
ability Areas
Except Those CHINA -
Employment- Based Listed mainland born INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES
th
5 Set Aside:
C C C C C
(Rural – 20%)
5th Set Aside:
(High Unemployment – C C C C C
10%)
5th Set Aside:
C C C C C
(Infrastructure – 2%)

B. DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT (DV) CATEGORY FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER

Section 203(c) of the INA provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas each fiscal year to
permit additional immigration opportunities for persons from countries with low
admissions during the previous five years. The NACARA stipulates that beginning with
DV-99, and for as long as necessary, up to 5,000 of the 55,000 annually allocated
diversity visas will be made available for use under the NACARA program. This will
result in reduction of the DV-2024 annual limit to approximately 54,850. DV visas
are divided among six geographic regions. No one country can receive more than seven
percent of the available diversity visas in any one year.

For December, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified

DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an
allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV
regional lottery rank numbers BELOW the specified allocation cut-off number:

All DV Chargeability
Areas Except Those
Region Listed Separately

AFRICA 11,000 Except: Algeria 10,500

Egypt 10,000
Morocco 10,000

ASIA 3,000 Except: Iran 2,800

Nepal 2,500

EUROPE 6,000 Except: Russia 5,900

Uzbekistan 3,000

NORTH AMERICA 5
(BAHAMAS)

OCEANIA 450

SOUTH AMERICA, 600

and the CARIBBEAN
 -7- December 2023
Entitlement to immigrant status in the DV category lasts only through the end
of the fiscal (visa) year for which the applicant is selected in the lottery. The
year of entitlement for all applicants registered for the DV-2024 program ends as
of September 30, 2024. DV visas may not be issued to DV-2024 applicants after that
date. Similarly, spouses and children accompanying or following to join DV-2024
principals are only entitled to derivative DV status until September 30, 2024.
DV visa availability through the very end of FY-2024 cannot be taken for granted.
Numbers could be exhausted prior to September 30.

C. DIVERSITY (DV) IMMIGRANT CATEGORY RANK CUT-OFFS WHICH WILL APPLY

IN JANUARY

For January, immigrant numbers in the DV category are available to qualified

DV-2024 applicants chargeable to all regions/eligible countries as follows. When an
allocation cut-off number is shown, visas are available only for applicants with DV
regional lottery rank numbers BELOW the specified allocation cut-off number:

All DV Chargeability
Areas Except Those
Region Listed Separately

AFRICA 22,000 Except: Algeria 15,000

Egypt 15,000
Morocco 20,000

ASIA 5,500 Except: Iran 5,450

Nepal 3,000

EUROPE 12,000 Except: Russia 11,500

Uzbekistan 4,750

NORTH AMERICA 5
(BAHAMAS)

OCEANIA 650

SOUTH AMERICA, 1,000

and the CARIBBEAN
 -8- December 2023
D. SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT FOURTH PREFERENCE (SR) RELIGIOUS WORKERS
CATEGORY
Pursuant to H.R. 5860, signed on September 30, 2023, the non-minister special
immigrant program expires on November 17, 2023. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or
final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight November 16,
2023. Visas issued prior to that date will be valid only until November 16, 2023, and
all individuals seeking admission in the non-minister special immigrant category must
be admitted (repeat admitted) into the United States no later than midnight November
16, 2023.
The SR category is listed as “Unavailable” for all countries for December. In the
event there is legislative action extending the category, it is likely it will become
available effective immediately. If extended, the category will be subject to the same
final action dates as the other Employment Fourth Preference categories per applicable
foreign state of chargeability.

E. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES,
PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

Department of State Publication 9514

CA/VO: November 3, 2023